Children’s Book of the Year Awards: Speech Pathology Australia

I was rubbish at reading as a child. I think our family owned all of four books, which were part of the Disney Classics collection, and that was about it.

Besides the set of encyclopaedias, which my mum had no doubt been roped into buying from a door to door salesman. But they were way to advance for me to read as a youngster. I just looked at the pictures.

In fact, I only remember my parents reading to me once as a child. That’s not to say they were neglectful parents or deserve corporal punishment – or a big fat #FAIL report card. Times were tough when I was growing up and, given both my parents grew up on farms and had left school by age 15 to work, reading was not their strengths. Or a priority with four youngsters to raise!

So, here I am, a writer. How that happened is anyone’s guess!

To be Frank (I just love saying that because my name is Franki), I have never liked reading. And it’s an integral part of my career! Unless it’s the news. But fiction? Good lord I don’t have time for fairy tales when I’m struggling to keep up with world events!

Then I had children. I’ve forced myself to read to my son, Maxwell, 10, since he was a dot, but I’m just starting to read to my one year-old, Louis.

And it’s amazing. Amazing how much Maxwell LOVES a story. He thrives. He settles for sleep better. He bids farewell to the day in the most beautiful, content and heart-warming way.

But, admittedly, as the tick tocks on and the dishes and homework and shower conclude, and AGAIN its past bedtime and I just know he wont wake up in the morning for school, it’s always the story that is the sacrificial offering to the timekeeper gods.

Then a press release lands in my inbox, highlighting the importance of reading for children’s’ development, their confidence, their future adult opportunities… and I reset my priority clock.

Speech pathologists understand the importance of literacy – and the clear link that exists between language, speech and reading. That’s why they are in a unique position to recommend great age-appropriate books that will not only help your little one learn to read and with literacy, but will also promote a love of learning and reading that hopefully lasts a lifetime.

So if you’re looking for a few good books that you know are award-winning and will actually do good (as well as being engaging!), check out these winners of the five categories in Speech Pathology Australia 2018 Book of the Year Awards.

Category: Five to 8 years

Winner: Danny’s Blue’s Really Excellent Dream

Category: Eight to 10 years

Winner: The Grand Genius Summer of Henry Hobler

Want more info’?

Of course you do! Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body representing more than 9,000 speech pathologists. The Association supports and regulates the ethical, clinical and professional standards of its members, as well as lobbying and advocating for access to services that benefit people with communication and swallowing difficulties.